Enjoying Chimaek and Naengmyeon, Receiving Walnut Pastries... The Food Service Industry Smiles at the 'Jensen Huang Effect'

"Nothing is better than chimaek."

On June 7, Jensen Huang, CEO of NVIDIA, took the mound at Jamsil Baseball Stadium in Seoul and made this remark to Korean baseball fans. After throwing the ceremonial first pitch, he ate fried chicken in the stands, and in the evening, he attended a "chimaek gathering" with Chey Tae-won, Chairman of SK Group. During his visit to Korea, he visited several Korean restaurants, enjoying dishes such as naengmyeon (cold noodles), samgyetang (ginseng chicken soup), and kalguksu (knife-cut noodles).

Jensen Huang, CEO of NVIDIA, is eating BBQ chicken at Jamsil Baseball Stadium in Seoul. Courtesy of Genesis BBQ.

The unexpected love for K-food shown by the leader of a global company at the forefront of the world’s artificial intelligence (AI) industry is bringing an unanticipated promotional effect to the food service industry.

On this day, CEO Huang enjoyed BBQ chicken while watching the game at Jamsil Baseball Stadium. According to Genesis BBQ, which operates BBQ, NVIDIA ordered 113 boxes of "Crunch Boneless Cracker" for the event. Afterwards, CEO Huang moved to Kanbu Chicken in Samseong-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul for a dinner with Chairman Chey and other SK Group executives.

Appearing in a Doosan Bears uniform, CEO Huang posed for photos and received gifts from citizens gathered in front of the restaurant, showing a friendly side. When a citizen handed him hodugwaja (Korean walnut cakes) from Buchang Confectionery, he immediately opened the package, showing interest, and took a commemorative photo with the person who gave the gift.

Jensen Huang, CEO of NVIDIA, is receiving a gift of hodugwaja (Korean walnut cakes). Provided by Buchang Confectionery.

Inside the dinner venue, a Korean-style chimaek culture unfolded. The table featured Jinro soju from HiteJinro, Chum-Churum soju from Lotte Chilsung Beverage, and Cass beer from OB Beer, among others. CEO Huang also personally made poktanju (soju-bomb cocktails), experiencing Korean drinking culture firsthand.

During the gathering, CEO Huang and his party stepped outside to share snacks with the public. CEO Huang brought out fried chicken, while Chairman Chey handed out HBM chip-shaped snacks and Paldo's Vilak Sikhye, items he had also distributed during the "Samso" (samgyeopsal and soju) meeting on June 5.

Immediately after arriving in Korea, CEO Huang said, "I really love Korean barbecue," and added, "I like chicken, and samgyetang is the best." On June 6, he visited the kalguksu alley in Namdaemun Market and Tosokchon, a famous samgyetang restaurant in Jongno-gu, with his family. Later, he had lunch with Euisun Chung, Executive Chair of Hyundai Motor Group, at the famous naengmyeon restaurant Wooriok in Seoul. The foods and brands mentioned or visited by CEO Huang quickly became a hot topic on online communities and social networking services (SNS).

A representative from the food service industry commented, "The sight of a global business leader naturally enjoying Korean food and dining culture is generating a promotional effect," adding, "It has become a scene that showcases the charm of K-food both domestically and internationally."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.